Bentley centenary concept previews next 30 years

Bentley will unveil a centenary concept on 10 July which will showcase the “future of grand touring,” confirmed CEO Adrian Hallmark. 

In celebration of 100 years of Bentley, the futuristic concept promises to display technology and design advancements envisioning the next 30 years.

The innovative concept will be powered by a hydrogen hybrid. It is the first time Bentley has demonstrated an interest in hydrogen power. Its first petrol-hybrid, a variant of the Bentayga, will launch in August this year. Meanwhile, a full electric model will arrive within five years, said Hallmark.

The concept is set to show a transparent OLED display on door cards, first talked about by Bentley in early 2017. The OLED display could overlay wood veneers and only be visible when in use, to control features such as audio. A version of the technology was shown in Bentley's EXP12 Speed 6 e concept.

Design director Stefan Sielaff said the concept is “a manifesto for how we see Bentley in the future”.

“It’s a view into the future. We don’t want to show a spaceship. It should be something that everyone knows is a Bentley and that the technology we show [is credible]. It’s not only a design statement but a statement for the company.

“It’s about sustainability, social responsibility, local sourcing, materials. It’s a big change in our thinking because society is changing.”

He added that the design team has been working on the concept for two years. “We are far, far away from being finished. The studio is a little outside [the main office] because we have to keep it really secret. My team is working day and night.”

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